I have never been able to make up my mind whether to concentrate on art, writing or natural history. I usually concentrate on one of the three for a while, then concentrate on another of the three. Art, writing and natural history are intwined in my life and often involve teaching a combination of these subjects.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Experimenting with Olympus Tough TG-850 at Charleston Falls

Yesterday about noon, I walked at the falls. Today we are getting snow and low temperatures ranging from about 10 degrees Fahrenheit to 25 degrees Fahrenheit but yesterday the temperature was 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Not many people were walking since it was a workday for most people.

The above photo was taken on the Automatic setting...what we once called snapshot mode.

Then I went to the Programable setting and played with the special effect settings, leaving the Exposure set at 0. Another time I'll play with changing the Exposure as well as the Programable settings.

Here are a few of the 14 settings.

Vivid Setting

Pale and Light Setting

Grainy Film Setting

Pinhole Setting

The setting that fascinated me the most was the Reflection Setting. I can imagine starting with the photos below and transforming them into abstract paintings.

About Me

I have been interested in art, writing and natural history since childhood.
After leaving elementary school teaching, I took a part-time job teaching drawing to children. That turned out to be a part-time job for the next twenty years. It was one of the most enjoyable jobs I have ever had.
During the same time I was a part-time educator for a local nature center and then an environmental educator for the county parks. When I am with children or adults in the woods or prairies or streams, I am sure there is nothing I could be doing that would make me happier. Throughout my teaching career, I have learned as much as I have taught. Along the way I have written articles and short stories and painted a lot of watercolors. Writing helps me understand myself and my world. Painting is pure pleasure.